Richard Hicks (abt. 1524 - 1621)

Descendants

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Biography

Thought to be likely of Flemish origins, in which case Hyckes is likely to be an anglicised version of Richard's original surname.

Richard Hicks, of Barcheston, Warwickshire, set up a studio to make tapestries, at Barcheston, in 1570 (working with William Sheldon, the owner of the estate). Richard Hicks was "placed in the manor house of Barcheston rent free", to make tapestries and other hangings. Richard Hicks' son, Francis Hicks, succeeded his father as chief arras-maker.

"[W]e gather that Hicks was 'placed in the mansion house of Barcheston. . . "Hicks, it would appear, had a large staff of work[ers] was succeeded as chief arras-maker by his son, Cornelius (Pat. 38 Hen. VIII, pt. 5, m. 1)." [Someone got this wrong. It's Francis, not Cornelius, that suceeded him.]

Timeline

• 1567 26/10 Daughter's Baptism: Ales; Barcheston, Warwickshire^[1]
• 1567 12/03 Tax: one of the ordnari yeomon of the quenes ma[jes]t[ie]s chamber is vallud be for us after the Ratte of xjo ijli xs in wages; 1567/8^[2]
• t1568 24/01 Queen's Arrasmaker: Post granted. Nominal pay 6d per day, but in practice had been raised to 1s 10 years before; 1568/9^[3]
• 1568 20/03 Son's Baptism: William; Barcheston, Warwickshire^[1]
• t1569 01: William Sheldon's Will: HEEKES; the only author and beginner of the Art with this Realm; 1569/70^[4]
• t1570 28/09 William Sheldon's Will: HEEKES^[4]
• 1571 14/05 Son's Burial: William; Barcheston, Warwickshire^[1]
• 1571 07/08 Son's Baptism: Edwarde; Barcheston, Warwickshire^[1]
• t1578 05 Queen's Arrasmaker: Extension and addition of Francis, his son; permission to have six servants born in England to work for their own profit.^[3]
• 1590 17/07 Servant's Burial: Peter a Duchman; Barcheston, Warwickshire^[1]
• 1621 31/10 Death: died the last of October^[1]
• 1621 02/11 Burial: Barcheston, Warwickshire; aged 97 or thereabouts^[1]
• 1634 Worcestershire Vistation: of Barcheston, co.Warwick^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6} Barcheston Parish Records; Warwickshire Archives
2. ↑ E 115/182/141; UK National Archives
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Finding the Sheldon weavers: Richard Hyckes and the Barcheston tapestry works reconsidered; Hilary L. Turner; http://tapestriescalledsheldon.info/pdfs/FindingtheWeavers.pdf; further source references found within
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} PROB 11/53/ 79; UK National Archives
5. ↑ Visitation of Worcestershire 1634

Finding the Sheldon weavers: Richard Hyckes and the Barcheston tapestry works reconsidered

Hilary L Turner http://tapestriescalledsheldon.info/pdfs/FindingtheWeavers.pdf

E 115/182/141, Certificate of residence showing Richard Hyckes to be liable for taxation in the Royal Household. 1567

Certificate of residence showing Richard Hyckes to be liable for taxation in the Royal...
Reference: E 115/182/141
Description: Certificate of residence showing Richard Hyckes to be liable for taxation in the Royal Household.
(Details of which pouch this certificate was removed from are now lost.)
Date: 1567
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description

vvijo die marche Ao. Ragni Regine Elizabeth nono/

I Willi[a]m lord haward of Effingham of the nobell order of The garter knight and lord Chamberlayn of the quenes ma[jes]t[ie]s most honerabell Chamber and Sir ffran[cis] knotts knight vicechamberlayn of the Sayd Chamber Comissioners named and apponnted amongest other of hyr gracs Sayd Chamber of and for the firste Taxacia[n] and payment of A Soubsidi grannted Unto hyr hyghnes by hyr hygh[nes']s Courte of parylment houlden at westm[inster] by progacions the Last days of September in the Eight yer of hyr hyghnes Rayne Do Sartifi Unto all other hyr ma[jes]t[ie]s Comissioner Unto whome yt shall ap[urt]ayn [th]at Richard hyckes one of the ordnari yeomon of the quenes ma[jes]t[ie]s chamber is vallud be for us after the Ratte of xjo ijli xs in wages

Oxford University Alumni, 1500-1886

HICKES, Francis (Hyckes), of c. Worcester, pleb. ST. MARY HALL, matric. entry under date 27 March 1579, aged 13; B.A. 30 April, 1583 (s. Richard, an arras weaver of Barcheston, co. Warwick), a celebrated Grecian; died at Sutton, co. Gloucester, 9 Jan., 1630, buried in the chancel of the church there; brother of Thomas 1616. See Ath, ii. 490; Fasti, i. 223; & D.N.B.

Victoria County History of Warwick

Vol. 5, pp5-10, Barcheston, Kington Hundred

Barcheston
It was in the manor-house that Ralph Sheldon in about 1560 established the famous tapestry works which, under the control of Richard Hyckes (died 1621, aged about 97) and his son Francis (died 1630), produced so many remarkable and beautiful tapestries. (fn. 2)

Church
In the floor by the east wall partly covered by the communion table is a brass inscription to 'Flamochus Colburn', died December 1664, aged 52, and a shield of arms. On the west wall (fn. 58) is a wooden monument, carved and painted to imitate stone or marble, to William Brent, 9 June 1675. The inscription is on a framed tablet with a shield of arms. On the south wall is a grey stone tablet put up in 1939 to commemorate Richard Hyckes, died 2 November 1621 and buried here, and Francis his son, died 1630 and buried at Sutton-under-Brailes, master weavers of Barcheston who had charge of the Sheldon tapestry looms.

[Note: the date of death is wrong: this is the date of burial. The date of death is also in the parish register as 'the last of October'.]

Stretton-on-Fosse

About the end of the 12th century Ralph le Breton presented to the church of Stretton; one Robert le Chivaler (fn. 93) challenged his right and presented another clerk, but a compromise was effected. In 1233, however, Alan le Breton, nephew of Ralph, claimed and recovered the advowson against Simon de Elmedune and Julian his wife, granddaughter of Robert. (fn. 94) Again in 1302 rival clerks were presented, one by Walter Pikerel and the other by some unnamed claimant. (fn. 95) Pikerel seems to have established his right, and the advowson then descended with the main manor (fn. 96) until the death of Sir Richard Clement. His first wife, Anne Wittlebury, had died 10 years before him, but he seems to have left a widow, who as Anne Grey, widow, late wife of Sir Richard Clement, presented in 1549. (fn. 97) She died in 1558 (fn. 98) and the advowson passed with that portion of the manor which came to the Sheldons. As they were Roman Catholics the actual presentations were made by their nominees, one of these for some years after 1570 being Richard Hyckes, the manager of Sheldon's tapestry works at Barcheston. (fn. 99)

http://tapestriescalledsheldon.info/p6_tale_hyckes.htm

Richard Hyckes was almost certainly one of many Flemish émigré weavers to seek refuge in England from wars in his own country. Aged around 45 when he is first recorded in Barcheston, Warwickshire, he would have been a Master weaver, and had possibly had his own workshop.

This contradicts the older view, based on remarks of an Oxfordshire antiquary, Anthony Wood (1632-1695), writing one hundred years later than the events he tried to explain. He said that Hyckes had been sent abroad to train as a weaver, then returned and settled at Barcheston. But very few English craftsmen trained abroad.

Hyckes does not appear to have been a local man. No family called Hyckes is recorded at Barcheston before Richard baptised his daughter there in October 1567. The birth of other children, but not of his son Francis who followed him into the weaving trade, were recorded in the parish registers, as was Richard's death, aged 97.

Only recently was it discovered that in January 1569 he was appointed Queen Elizabeth's arrasmaker - the household official in charge of men repairing the monarch's tapestries. They did not weave new ones.

The appointment, a year before Sheldon wrote his will, is curious because

• Hyckes had no previous service with the household team, made up of Flemish weavers, born in towns where tapestry weaving was the major industry.

• It seems to conflict with his responsibilities at Barcheston. But it supports the idea of his foreign birth because the post had previously always been held by émigré weavers and needed professional skills.

• There is little evidence for an English tapestry weaving industry, but many Flemings took refuge in London from wars in their homeland.

• Written evidence shows Sheldon employed Henrick Camerman, a weaver born in Brussels and aged 22, from 1564 until 1570.

When in his will, Sheldon described Hyckes as "the only author of this art", Sheldon was using a formulaic phrase applied to other émigrés who hoped to set up trading in a skill not previously practised in this country.

William Sheldon's Will (partial transcription)

http://www.tapestriescalledsheldon.info/p33_learn_ws_will.htm William Sheldon's Will as it concerns arrangements at Barcheston

January 1570

...And also whereas I have bought of one Thomas Bourne a lease of all the toll or custom as well as of fairs as of market days every week to be holden within the lordship of Bushoppes Castell, co.Salop [Bishop's Castle], with all the members, so often as it shall there to be holden and exercised yearly, with all customs, fees, profits, tolls commodities and other things whatsoever to the said fairs and markets appertaining or belonging to begin at the ninth day of April next and immediately following the end of the term, surrender or forfeiture of the state and grant of the farm of the said toll or custom and other the premises with their appurtenances to one Peter Cornewall, son of Sir Thomas Cornewall made, and to have continuance from thence forth for term of fifty-one years, yielding and paying for the same yearly t0ll, the which reversion granted by the said Thomas Bourne is conveyed to my said well-beloved cousin Harry Asfild[Ashfield] to my use upon trust, and which reversion is to begin as it is thought in April 1575.

My will and mind is...that all the profits of the said lease, until that Edmond Plowden, son of the said Edmond Plowden, esquire, my son in law, shall accomplish....the full age of 24 years, shall be received and taken by my executors, and shall be employed for evermore in manner and form following, that is to say for all the said years to be lent freely from time to time upon good securities to such person and persons as shall occupy and use the art of making tapestry and arras or either of them within the counties of Worcester and Warwick and in the cities of Worcester and Coventry in such manner and form as is hereafter in this my will now expressed and declared.

That is to say first that William Dowler now servant to Richard Heeks the only author and beginner of the Art with this Realm shall have freely by way of loan of the first issues, revenues and profits that shall arise and grow of the said tolls and the profits thereunto belonging for term of years upon good securities to use the said Art and to repay the same at the end of ten years the sum of £26 13s 4d.

And my will and mind is that every other person or persons that is now servant or herafter shall be servant or servants to the said Richard Heekes or to one Thomas Chaunce or to the said William Dowler in the said Art at the time of my death and being born within this Realm shall have and orderly as they be in years likewise freely by way of loan of the next issues and profits that shall arise and grow of the said toll and other the premises thereunto belonging to Busshopps Castell aforesaid And also of such other sums of money as is already lent by me or shall be lent by me in my life for the maintenance of the said Art and of such other sums of money as shall be lent of the said issues and profits of the said toll and other the premises to the same belonging and repaid again for 10 years upon good securities to use the said Art, and to repay the same at the end of 10 years the sum of £20.

And that every stranger born that shall work with the said Richard Heeks, Thomas Chaunce and William Dowler in the said Art at the time of my death shall have orderly as they have been or shall be in service with the said Richard Heeks, Thomas Chaunce, William Dowler or any of them by way of loan of the next issues and profits that shall arise and grow of the said toll and other the premises thereunto belonging in Busshopp Castell aforesaid and of the said stock of money lent and repaid again for 10 years upon good securities to use the said Art within this Realm and to repay the same again at the end of 10 years the sum of 20 marks...Also I do devise...that after all such as now work in the said Art with the said Richard Heeks, Thomas Chaunce or with any Englishman now being at work or which shall be in work at Barcheston or Bordesley at the time of my death shall have had their said sums of money to them appointed by this my last will and testament, that then the residue of all issues, revenues and profits of the said toll...and of the said sums of money lent, and repaid again shall be for ever applied and lent for 10 years by £20 apiece to every such as shall use the said Art, chiefly to such as shall be hereafter apprentice to any of my said servants beforenamed using the same Art, finding sufficient securities to use the same and repay the money again at the end of ten years, if the party that shall have the money shall so long live.

And if it shall chance the same party to die within the said 10 years that then he shall repay the said money within one year next after the time of his death in manner and form following...to every person that shall so use the said Art within the said counties of Worcester and Warwick and in the said cities of Worcester and Coventry, and for lack of such persons there or elsewhere in the counties of Gloucester, Hereford, Salop, Stafford, Oxford and Berkshire, so that every of them do find securities as is aforesaid, which securities and bonds of all the said persons aforenamed and unnamed...shall be made unto my executors and the overlivers of them and such person and persons as shall be Justices of Assizes at the time being of the County of Worcester and to the Clerk of the Peace of the said County of Worcester.

I give, will and devise to Simon Walweyn of Oxhill, Warwickshire and to Thomas Evett of Myckleton Glos and their heirs a yearly rent out of my lands and tenements in Little Wolford in Warwickshire 56s 8d that they shall yearly pay to the Justices of the Assizes 40s; to the Clerk of the Peace in Worcestershire 10s. that they shall yearly see and take order for the taking of the said bonds yearly that the said sums of money shall be yearly employed for the true performance of my intent. And for non-payment of the said 56s 8d they have power of distraint to levy the 20s in the name of a penaltie; to have 6s 8d per annum of the overplus of the 50s for their pains.

28 September 1570

And whereas I have placed in the mansion house* of Barcheston aforesaid one Richard Heekes and granted him the mill there and all the houses, orchards, gardens, the going, pasturing and feeding of 17 oxen, 6 horses and certain other cattle without paying any rent in money for the same, but only to make certain malt for me and to carry certain of my corn and hay, and chiefly in respect of the maintenance of making of tapestrye, arras, moccadoes, carolles, plometts, grograynes, sayes and sarges.

And whereas also the said Richard Heeks and I are condistended and agreed that certain money shall be yearly disbursed and laid out by me and my heirs towards the making of the said tapestry and other things before recited. And how and in what manner the same shall be answered to me, my heirs and executors, and a recompense also for the said house and other things to the said Richard Heeks granted as by a bill indented made between him and me more plainly at large appeareth.

And for as much as the same Richard Heeks hath bestowed and must bestow on the houses there a good piece of money to make all things necessary for workmen to work in the premises And for that his trade will be greatly beneficial to this commonwealth to trade youth in, and a meane to store great sums of money within this Realm that will issue and go out of this Realm for the same commodities to the maintenance of the foreign parties and to the hindrance of this commonwealth.

And considering that I do think my wellbeloved son Rauf will have the same consideration to the commonwealth as I now have or more, I do...devise that..if he do permit...the said Richard Heeks to have and enjoy the said house and all other things specified in the said writings made between me and the said Richard Heeks according to the time limited in the said writing and according to the tenor thereof.

That then my said son Rauf and his heirs male shall not only have all the things and profts reserved in the said writings indented, but also the stock that shall remain in the hands of the said Richard Heeks at the time of my death.

And if the same be not then the value of £300 yearly that then my executors shall within one year make the same £300 which shall be yearly employed according to the said writing indented And in case that my said son shall not seem good to fulfill the said writing indented as is therein mentioned on my part and my heirs to be performed that then I so devise and will that the said Richard Heeks shall have of the said stock the occupation of £100 during his natural life, so that he do seal and deliver to my executors or to one of them one bill obligatory for the repayment of the said sum of £100 to my executors within two years next after the decease of the said Richard Heeks, and so that the said Richard Heeks (as is my special hope and trust he will) do continue the exercising of the said trade to so good purpose as he hath begun.

• mansion house : was the legal term for the chief residence of the lord of the manor. It does not, at this date, imply architectural grandeur, which is a later usage.

National Archives PROB 11/53/ 79